BMW's insistence on run-flat tires is gonna cost me (or piss off my gf)

"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
03/30/2015 at 14:11 • Filed to: None

My 135is came with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A RFT fun-flat tires. This is because BMW doesn't like to include spare tires on their cars anymore, and instead prefers run-flat tires. The only problem is, run-flat tires come with their own set of somewhat undesirable compromises.

I've been pretty happy with the performance of these tires. They grip well in turns, and the super-stiff sidewalls make for very crisp turn-in response. But they also are heavier than standard tires making for a harsher ride than necessary, they have a frankly appalling treadwear rating of only 140 , and they're expensive to replace.

Because my car is a lease, it needs to be returned with run-flat tires that have at least 25% of their tread depth remaining. I have about 9800 miles on the car, and last week when I had the oil changed, the dealer measured the tread depth at 5 mm (6/32"). The fronts start out with 10/32" and rears 11/32", so that means I'm at about 60% and 55% tread depth, respectively. My lease ends on June 30, 2016, and the tires on the car now likely won't still have 25% tread at the end of the lease.

The way I see it, I have a 3 options:

1. While the run-flats still have enough tread on them, buy a set of non-run-flat tires for something in the range of $700-900 installed for the set, depending on which ones I choose. Keep the run-flats in my garage until the end of the lease, then pay a tire shop to put them back on the car before I turn it in, and then sell the non-run-flat tires. Pro: I get to drive on non-run-flat tires, and save money. Con: I have to go through the hassle of juggling tires, and selling tires (which really is such a hassle), and my gf hates it when I have a stack of tires in the garage, so I'd hear from her on the topic frequently, until I could finally sell the non-run-flat tires I took off the car after I turn it in.

2. Buy used non-run-flat tires that I could just wear out, store the run-flats, and put them back on when turning in the car. Pro: I get to drive on non-run-flat tires, save money, and don't have to deal with selling the non-run-flats. Con: I'd still have a set of tires taking up space in the garage until the end of my lease.

3. Wait until the run-flats need to be replaced, and replace them with run-flats. Maybe switch from the RE050A RFTs to Pirelli P Zero Run Flats which have better reviews. Pro: Don't have to worry about juggling tires, and won't have my gf nagging me about a set of tires taking up space in the garage. Con: I'd still be driving on the run-flats, and they're about $1400 installed for a set. Since I could recoup some of the cost of non-run-flat tires, my net cost might be almost $1000 more.

So what would you do? If I were single, it'd probably be #1 or #2 no question. But there's someone else who I need to keep happy, and as soon as I start talking about some car nonsense that's going to take up space in the garage, her eyes start glazing over.

DISCUSSION (45)

JGrabowMSt > Textured Soy Protein
03/30/2015 at 14:16

Get a second set of wheels and tires. Beat the shit out of them. Put the stock tires back on to return the car, and sell the extra wheels and tires for only a small profit loss, but the safety of knowing you wont have problems returning the car.

this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata > Textured Soy Protein
03/30/2015 at 14:21

I know I'd go for straight for number one, but this is oppo, that's kind of a given.

Idk, I would try talking to your lady, and explain the whole saving a thousand dollars thing. I don't want to stereotype, I mean my girlfriend certainly doesn't care about this kinda thing... But you might want to mention all the shit you'd be able to buy HER with that grand if you dont spend it on tires.

RightFootDown > Textured Soy Protein
03/30/2015 at 14:22

Buy a set of wheels which retain their value such as OE ZHP/CSLs from the E46 M3 and pick up a set of summer tires for $800. If you look around the BMW boards you might even score a complete wheel and tire combo for $1,500'ish and be able to re-sell for near the same price. Win.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Textured Soy Protein
03/30/2015 at 14:22

pissing off your gf = will also cost you

But run-flats are never the right answer.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Textured Soy Protein
03/30/2015 at 14:23

I know someone who recently bought a 1 series and they chucked the run flats within the first week. He loves the car but absolutely hated what those tires did to the ride.

Reconciling option one with your gf seems to be the best idea.

Short-throw Granny Shifter is 2 #blessed 2b stressed > Textured Soy Protein
03/30/2015 at 14:29

Definitely 1. Store the old tires under a bed or on the roof or something, get creative. Maybe put a square of plywood and a nice tablecloth over the stack of tires and woo her with candlelit dinner in the garage. Then, as she thanks you for dinner, flip off the improvised tabletop for the big reveal.

IT WAS TIRES ALL ALONG!!!!!!!!

Your welcome.

Textured Soy Protein > RightFootDown
03/30/2015 at 14:30

I'm not exactly thrilled at the prospect of having money tied up in wheels in addition to tires. But I did add the option to buy used non-run-flats and then not have to worry about selling them when I put the run-flats back on the car.

Textured Soy Protein > JGrabowMSt
03/30/2015 at 14:31

Jonathan Harper > Textured Soy Protein
03/30/2015 at 14:35

When my mom went from an E46 325i with a full size spare to an E90 325i with run-flats and no spare she immediately noticed a degradation in handling and feel with the run-flats. She insisted that I find her some normal tires, after which I explained the draw backs, and she was fine so long as I furnished her with a fix-a-flat kit in her E90.

carcrasher88 > Textured Soy Protein
03/30/2015 at 14:37

I did some research, and there are some run flat tires with higher treadwear ratings.

Like the Bridgestone DriveGuard. They're listed with RunFlat Extended Mobility, have a treadwear rating of 460, they're all-seasons, and Tire Rack has a main-in-rebate deal that lowers the price of a set of four from $590 to $520.

I also found those RE050 RFTs, which are Max Performance Summer tires, and the price difference is pretty big.

You've got 17"s on it, right?

Flat Six > Textured Soy Protein
03/30/2015 at 14:40

This is indeed a quandary. The runflat tires are very soft on the bottom and easily suck up sharp objects. They are also not as patchable as normal tires. I have replaced 3 tires on my wife's X5 in about 20 months due to damage. I purchased the tire replacement warranty so it hasn't been too onerous. Since you have a sports car I would be tempted to go for option 1.

this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata > Short-throw Granny Shifter is 2 #blessed 2b stressed
03/30/2015 at 14:43

I'm going to keep this one on file for future use. Its the perfect plan!

Textured Soy Protein > Flat Six
03/30/2015 at 14:43

I got a nail in one of my rear tires and had it patched no problem, and for free, thanks to Discount Tire.

Textured Soy Protein > carcrasher88
03/30/2015 at 14:44

18s, and I would only put performance run-flats on it, not just regular old passenger car tires.

Sizes are 215/40-18 front and 245/35-18 rear. The only run-flats in that size are performance tires.

Textured Soy Protein > Jonathan Harper
03/30/2015 at 14:49

Really the only reason I'm considering buying run-flats is because they need to be on the car when I give it back.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > Textured Soy Protein
03/30/2015 at 14:49

I don't know why, but I sold the Bridgestones that came with my motorcycle in favor of Dunlop Roadsmart IIs - despite the fact that my bike isn't even a sport tourer, it actually handles MILES better than the BT56s that came with it. I just don't feel safe on Bridgestones.

I might look to see how it handles with the equivalent to a Pirelli Diablo, though. Had one on the old Burgman (Rear tire) and that thing handled sharply.

carcrasher88 > Textured Soy Protein
03/30/2015 at 14:50

How about a set of Dunlop SP Sport 01 DSSTs? Treadwear rating of 280, and $26 cheaper than the Potenzas. Only thing is, the customer rating is a little lower.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.js…

You could go in the middle with a set of Pirelli P-Zeros, which are rated at 220 and have a rebate available that brings them down to $1,124 for a set of 4.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.js…

Also, I randomly chose 2013 model year, since I didn't know the exact year, but figure it probably didn't matter.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Textured Soy Protein
03/30/2015 at 14:54

How much do you mind driving with the run flats? I'd hate for you to go through so much effort and return it to them with tires that have >50% life left on them. Screw them for forcing run flats on you - at least return it close to the minimum requirement so you get your moneys worth (if its not too horrendous an experience to drive with).

Find a set of good regular summer tires on sale on tire rack - something that has a good following, and use that for the rest of the time either before or after running the run flats down to 25%. Sell them once you're done with them - being a reputed tire, and with super low miles on them (since you'd be running the run flats down more too) hopefully you'll be able to come close to breaking even on them.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Textured Soy Protein
03/30/2015 at 14:57

That's interesting. Most tire shops won't patch run flats. There's a warning right on the sidewall that says they're not repairable. That isn't to say I wouldn't do it on my own car however...

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Textured Soy Protein
03/30/2015 at 14:59

Chance it and buy run flats only if you actually use up that much tread in the next few months.

Textured Soy Protein > ZHP Sparky, the 5th
03/30/2015 at 15:01

The grip is mostly fine although I can provoke a good amount of rear wheelspin under power if I hit a bump while accelerating. That's probably more due to the combination of low-RPM torque and open differential more than the tires. They have some impact harshness but overall not bad for max performance summer tires, several kinds of which I have owned over the years. Option 2 is probably the easiest way to get my money's worth, since for example someone on the BMW forums is selling a set of Michelin Pilot Super Sports they took off an M235i, with enough tread to last me until I'd put the run-flats back on, for $400 for the set.

Textured Soy Protein > carcrasher88
03/30/2015 at 15:04

You're correct on the year, since the 135is was only sold in 2013.

I'd shy away from the Dunlops since they're rated worse. I'd consider the Pirellis. They're slightly more expensive than the Bridgestones. That $1400 number was the Tire Rack price plus shipping and installation, and a slight bit of rounding up.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Textured Soy Protein
03/30/2015 at 15:05

Yup, that's another great alternative - instead of being the person buying new tires in hopes of selling them, just buy them off someone else with enough tread for your needs. Same end result, and you don't need to have the worry of selling off a set of tires you invested full price in when you're done with them.

I think you were considering getting rid of the 135is a few months ago - decided to keep it through the lease term?

MrDakka > Textured Soy Protein
03/30/2015 at 15:08

Get a second set of tires. Store stock run flats in trunk and backseat for more downforce. Beat the shit out of second set of tires. Put stock tires back on to return the car. Sacrifice the second set of tires to the tire god in a dark ritual.

WhiskeyGolf > Textured Soy Protein
03/30/2015 at 15:10

Kinja'd!!!

And remember, run flats need air too! My dad learned this on the highway.

JGrabowMSt > Textured Soy Protein
03/30/2015 at 15:12

Having a second full set of wheels means you don't have to eat the cost of a mount and balance twice. Not ideal, but does the girlfriend park in the garage? That's the moot point for me. If the girlfriend doesn't park in the garage, it shouldn't matter. If she does, then you're screwed. Disguise them as a table? Maybe fancy shrubbery holders for a little while?

Textured Soy Protein > JGrabowMSt
03/30/2015 at 15:34

We have a 1-car garage and alternate who gets to use it.

Whether I have a stack of just tires, or wheels on tires, makes no difference to her.

Sure I wouldn't have to pay for mounting/balancing twice, but the initial purchase price of another set of wheels with tires on them is up in the range of the run-flats. Sure I'd get a good amount back later, but it's still probably a grand or more tied up in them for over a year.

NoneOfYourBiz > Textured Soy Protein
03/30/2015 at 16:04

1. Never lease another car again.

2. Go with a cheap set of used tires that'll last until you need to give the car back. See if you can store your run-flats in a friend's garage or basement to avoid pissing off the G.F.

3. Store the tires yourself and tell your girlfriend if she doesn't like it, she can pay the difference in price for your new tires. Seriously, I bet you make all kinds of compromises for her. It's gotta be a two way street. (disclosure: I recently got out of a rather one-sided relationship and have no more fucks to give)

FYI: some tire places will store your off-season tires for you but you'd like have to buy new ones from them so you're paying a premium to not have to deal with storage.

uofime > Textured Soy Protein
03/30/2015 at 16:09

build a shelf to get the tires off the ground and out of the way, problem solved!

Textured Soy Protein > NoneOfYourBiz
03/30/2015 at 16:19

1. Leasing works great in a lot of situations, including the situation I was in when I leased this car. But that's another topic entirely.

2. The used tires are certainly a possibility but I don't see much point in tying up a friend's basement.

3. My relationship is very much a two-way street. She complains about tires taking up too much space in the garage, and then I make fun of her for having 7 boxes full of christmas decorations.

Textured Soy Protein > uofime
03/30/2015 at 16:21

There's not really a good place to build such a shelf. The garage is big for a 1-car, and the side of the garage under the stairs is what we use for storage. Really it's not a huge deal, and there's 1 wheel from an old car that I curb rashed and need to sell to the metal recycler that if I get rid of, there will be space. But she doesn't like any tires in there.

NoneOfYourBiz > Textured Soy Protein
03/30/2015 at 16:22

LOL Nice.

SOLUTION: put Christmas decorations in the tires. Bonus: Christmas thereafter will smell like a tire shop. Win-win.

FYI: having been the guy storing someone else's tires, it's no big deal. A lot of people have huge amounts of free storage space in the upper deck of their garage. Just sayin' ... maybe it's not as big a deal to some people.

uofime > Textured Soy Protein
03/30/2015 at 16:24

is there access to the rafters?

Textured Soy Protein > NoneOfYourBiz
03/30/2015 at 16:27

The likeliest candidate for a friend's house to store the tires at would also give me neverending shit for having to store the tires at his place to avoid having my gf complain, especially when I've got room at mine. The occasional complaint from my gf would be preferable to that.

Textured Soy Protein > uofime
03/30/2015 at 16:29

Nope, we've got full drywall in there—walls and ceiling. I live in a townhouse and my basement is 75% garage, 25% utility/laundry room.

HurricaneZone > Textured Soy Protein
03/30/2015 at 16:47

Here's what I did with my 335.

I waited to wear out my run flats, then put good non-run flat winter tires on them.

By the summer I got a new set of rims and summer non run flat tires.

I keep one wheel from the set that I'm not using in my trunk, just in case.

????

Profit!

Textured Soy Protein > HurricaneZone
03/30/2015 at 16:50

I don't have winter tires, because I have a Jeep I drive in winter.

Rico > Textured Soy Protein
03/31/2015 at 09:42

Any chance you can mount the tires to the wall? I'm sure there would have to be a way to store the tires without taking up a huge amount of space. Do you have any friends that have a garage or basement that could hold the run flats for you? What about the storage unit you use for your car? It seems space is a big deal in your garage maybe you can move some stuff into that storage unit you keep your car in?

Rico > Textured Soy Protein
03/31/2015 at 09:44

Any backyard? Roof access? Buy a small shed from home depot and store your stuff in there? Tires are really not that big nor are they very tall when stacked either.

Rico > Textured Soy Protein
03/31/2015 at 09:45

My vote is remove the RFs, get some Pilot Super Sports and put the RFs back on at lease turn in. RFs suck in every way except letting you drive for a bit if you lose air pressure.

Rico > Textured Soy Protein
03/31/2015 at 09:48

$400 is a steal man, do it.

Rico > WhiskeyGolf
03/31/2015 at 09:50

Whoa they aren't run flat forever _

Textured Soy Protein > Rico
03/31/2015 at 10:16

I don't have a back yard, my townhouse is in a row of 6 of them, and our garages are in the back. There's a shared driveway/parking lot there.

There's room for tires in the garage. My gf just doesn't like it when tires are in the garage.

WhiskeyGolf > Rico
03/31/2015 at 10:17

Part of the problem is that the TPMS often gives false positives — especially in winter — and since run flats don't really show low air deformation, it tends to mean long drives with less air...

Textured Soy Protein > Rico
03/31/2015 at 10:20

Yeah I think that's a good deal but I'm not necessarily in a rush to buy them right now. Just need to do something in the next few months while the run-flats have enough tread left on them. I'm really focusing on saving money right now. After I moved in with my gf last fall I went on a bit of a spending binge through the end of the year. I don't have any debt from said binge, but I'd like to let the slush fund recover for a while. Seems like I should be able to find something that will work for me on the BMW forums when the time comes.